The Portland daily press., 1887-02-15
THE FISHERIES QUESTION.
The Text OF the Bill OF the House
Subcommittee.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-THE bill as amend
ed by the subcommittee is as follows:
A Blu TO Protect AmericdR Vessels against
Untcdrrdntdble and UnidlgftL DiscriDainn-
tons in the Ports Of British North Ameri-
ca:
Sec. l. That hereafter, whenever the Presi-
dent shall be satisfied that vessels Of the
United States are denied in ports or terrific
rial waters of the British Dominion in North
America, the rights to which such vessels
are entitled by treaty, or by the law Of ma
lions, or are denied the comfy Of treatment
or the reasonable privileges usually accorded
between nelghboring and friendly nations,
he may, IN his discretion, by proclamation.
prohibit from entering the ports of the
United States, or from exercising such privi-
leges therein as he may, in his discretion, by
such proclamation, define the vessels owned
wholly or in part by subjects Of Her Brit
tanic Majesty, and coming or arriving from
any port or place in the Dominion Of Canada
or in the island Of Newfoundland, whether
directly or having touched at any other port,
excepting such vessels as shall be in distress
OF navigation and OF needed repairs or sup
plies therefor, and he may also forbid the
entrance or importation, either by land or
water. into the United States, of any goods,
wares or merchandise from the aforesaid
Dominion OF Canada or Newfoundland, or
any locomotive, car or other vehicle from the
Dominion OF Canada; and upon proof that
the privileges secured by article % Of the
treaty concluded between the United States
and Great Britain on sthe Sth day of May,
1871, are denied as to goods, wares and mer-
enandlse arriving at ports OF British North
America, the President may also, by procla-
nation, forbid the exercise Of like privileges
As As tq n goods, wares and MERCHANDISE arriving
ana nerson ~ S vioIstine Of 1hs United States and
the provision Of any proclamation lssntu
under this act, and any person
preventing, or attempting to prevent
any officer of the United States from enforc
ing such proclamation shall forfeit and pay
to the United States the sum Of $1,000 and
shall be guilty of misdemeanor, and upon
conviction thereof, shall be liable to impris-
onmcnt to term not exceeding two years,
or by both Of said punishments, in the dis
cretion of the court, and If on and after the
date at which such proclamation takes effect,
the master or other person in charge Of any
vessel thereby excluded from the ports of the
United States shall do, in the ports, harbors
or waters of the United States for, or on ac-
count of such vessels, any act forbidden by
such proclamation aforesaid such vessels and
its rigging, tackle, furniture and boats and
all goods on board, shall be liable to seizure
and forfeiture to the United States, and any
goods, wares or merchandise and any car,
locomotive, or other vehicle coming into the
United States in violation of any proclama-
tion as aforesaid, shall be seized and forfeit
ed to the United States.
Sec. 2-That whenever after the Issuance
of proclamation under this act the Presi-
dent is satisfied that the denial Of the right
and privileges on which his proclamation
was based no longer exists, he may with
draw the proclamation or so much thereof as
he may deem proper and reissue the same
thereafter when in his judgment the same
shall be necessary.
Sec. 3-That the President be and is here
by authorized to appoint a commission to
proceed to such places in the United States
or elsewhere as may be designated by the
Secretary of State to take testimony under
oath, or affirmation, in relation to losses and
injuries inflicted since the 3lst Of December,
1885, by British North America. Said COM
mittee shall everywhere have in the respect
to the administration Of oaths or affirmati0ns
and taking of testimony the same power as
the commission Of the circuit court, and shall
be paid the same fees as are prescribed for
similar services Of a commissioner Of the cir
cult court. together with travelling expenses
The committee adjourned without taking
oofion